Paige Bueckers wins 2026 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award

The Dallas Wings star has added another honor to her growing resume — and this one has nothing to do with points, assists, or wins.

Paige Bueckers is the recipient of the 2026 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award.

The WNBA made the announcement on Thursday, recognizing Bueckers for her work off the court.

The award was established in 2008 and named after Hall of Fame player and coach Dawn Staley.

It honors a current WNBA player whose leadership, charitable efforts, and commitment to service reflect Staley’s own example.

Bueckers just completed her second season in the league after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

On the court, she averaged 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1 steal per game across 42 regular-season contests.

She shot 31 percent from three-point range and helped lead the Wings to a 27-17 record.

Dallas secured the seventh seed and returned to the playoffs after missing the postseason during Bueckers’ rookie year.

The Wings lost their first-round series to the eventual WNBA champion Golden State Valkyries.

Bueckers also earned her second consecutive All-WNBA Second Team selection and made her first All-Star start this season.

But the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award recognizes work that happens long before the opening tip.

Bueckers has supported several initiatives in her home state of Minnesota and in Dallas.

In Minnesota, she partnered with Gatorade to renovate a basketball court in the community.

She also donated $25,000 to Athletic Committed Enlightened Scholars, a program that supports student-athletes.

Bueckers organized a free basketball camp for 95 girls, giving them access to coaching and mentorship at no cost.

Through her partnership with Goodr, she funded a free grocery store at Hopkins West Junior High School.

The store provides food to students and families facing food insecurity.

In Dallas, Bueckers participated in the Wings’ Unified Game with Special Olympics of North Texas.

She also mentored young athletes through the team’s Dream Team program, which connects players with local youth.

Bueckers released a statement through the WNBA explaining her approach to community work.

“With every partnership I take on, it’s really important to me to include a charity or community engagement component,” Bueckers said.

“I’ve been fortunate to have so many people and communities invest in me throughout my life, and I want to pay that forward by using my platform to create opportunities for the next generation.”

She listed several areas of focus: sports, education, food security, and mentorship.

“Whether that’s through sports, education, food security or mentorship, I want to make sure people have access to opportunities they might not otherwise have,” Bueckers said.

“Sports have given me so much, and I think they can be such a powerful way to bring people together, build community and create opportunity.”

Dawn Staley herself weighed in on the honor.

“Paige Bueckers embodies the spirit of what this award, established in my name, represents,” Staley said.

“Through her leadership, compassion, and commitment to service, Paige uses her platform to uplift communities and inspire the next generation.”

Staley added: “I’m proud to honor her for making a difference that reaches far beyond basketball.”

As part of the recognition, the WNBA will donate $10,000 to Good Sports, a nonprofit selected by Bueckers.

Good Sports provides sports equipment, apparel, and footwear to children in underserved communities across the country.

The award continues a tradition that has recognized some of the league’s most community-minded players since 2008.

Past winners include Tamika Catchings, Elena Delle Donne, and Breanna Stewart.